Nibwaakaa - Grand Council Treaty #3

Female Chief Profiles

I like to focus on being positive. Even though we do have our challenges, you have to maintain being positive.

Chief Lorraine Cobiness

Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation

www.niisaachewan.ca

With 12 years of experience (6 consecutive terms) as Chief of Niisaachewan First Nation, Lorraine Cobiness is thankful for the opportunities she’s had to create meaningful partnerships that benefit her people.

Among Cobiness’ many accomplishments, she is the most proud of the balance she has been able to strike between national and community needs – from collaborating with industry and government to manage the Kenora forest, and the ongoing development of an all nations health care system and hospital, to opening Keshick High School as a way to pass on local culture, language, and heritage.

Chief Marilyn Sinclair

Washagamis Bay First Nation

Sinclair has high hopes for her community and term as Chief. She is the first female Chief for Obashkaandagaang First Nation, and feels extremely honoured to have the power of an all-female Council, and 9 strong, female Chiefs, behind her.

As she heads into her second term of leadership, her main focus is to secure funding to build a new community centre that will function as a Band Office, recreation hub, and rehabilitation centre, as well as develop more housing and an effective water treatment plan.